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BEGINNING JAVA SE 6 GAME PROGRAMMING, THIRD EDITION is perfect for beginner level game programmers with some Java experience who want to quickly and easily learn how to create games using the latest version of the Java SDK, Java 6. Written in simple language, the book teaches each new skill using engaging tutorials in which you'll write short programs that demonstrate the topics being covered to reinforce what you've just learned. Each chapter builds upon the previous ones, allowing you to repeat and practice the techniques covered. You'll begin with the basics of writing a simple game using vector graphics, move on to utilizing Java's advanced library to add animation and sound effects, and end by creating a professional, sprite-based game full of interesting artwork and details that you can share with others on the web. And you'll be able to use the skills and techniques you've learned to create your own games to play and share. All you need to get started is a basic understanding of Java and your imagination!

About the Author

Jonathan S. Harbour is an associate professor at the University of Advancing Technology (Tempe, AZ). His web site at www.jharbour.com includes an online forum and blog for book support. His most recent game projects are Starflight - The Lost Colony (www.starflightgame.com) and Aquaphobia: Mutant Brain Sponge Madness (www.aquaphobiagame.com).

Most helpful customer reviews

Roughly the first quarter of the book is spent with encouragements and teaching Java basics. The pages have lots of spacing and images, there is also explanations of Java basics throughout the book so there is very little true content. Less than half of the book material is about game programming as this book is also about teaching Java basics.

This book is also not a good recommendation for those learning the Java language as it has very poor programming style. I have read the first 3 quarters of the book and tossed it aside as it has very poor style. I have since purchased "Killer Game Programming in Java" by Andrew Davison and am very impressed with that book (it is not intended for someone learning Java but you could purchase a separate book for learning Java that teaches proper style). I purchased "Beginning Java SE 6 Game Programming" thinking that it was the latest Java book on game programming but don't let the title fool you, "Killer Game Programming" was written when Java SE 5 was around but it is a much better book on actual game programming.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

Amazon.com:
15 reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

Provides Some InformationFeb. 18 2011

By
Kenneth W. Brown
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

Sadly, this is probably one of the best Java game programming books out there, but there is much more to be desired. Being a Java developer, this was perfect for my needs. The book provided the methods of game programming logic that I needed. Unfortunately, even if you're a beginning Java programmer, I would suggest something else. If you don't want to write Java web-applets (which I don't even know many that do), or at least pair it with something that will teach you programing Java applications.

Even though it is known that you need to understand Java, this book takes that statement even further. At the beginning, the author wastes two chapters rambling about things you would find in a beginning Java book, and then contradicts himself a couple paragraphs later. Not only that, bits of code, like the initializing html file for Java applets is mentioned before you even need it; then never brought up again when you actually need the code. After half a chapter of different IDEs for Java, you're given code, and instructions that don't even work for setting up a text editor claiming to be an IDE.

Ignoring these things, I continued on through the book, only to realize that it was even more clumsy than I thought. Once you start entering code, and get to the point of testing; hope that you did not mess anything up through the pages of inconsistent spacing, and poor programming; because the author neglected to provide any way to find the sources for the book. After using a search engine as a citing resource, then traversing his site; I found the source code from the 2nd edition, that was exactly the same code as the only code for the 3rd edition. Even when everything is working well, instead of sticking with one topic, the author jumps around, distracting you from the main program (which is progressively created throughout the entire book), by putting various different demonstration projects in between; which could have been presented before the main project. In the end, after reading lots of posts about missing blocks of code from readers, resulted in reading the logic to use in my own projects; ignoring the provided project completely.

I hope that the author takes more time on the 4th edition, actually making changes to the text, providing links to code, omitting wasted space, possibly giving a bit more of a clear understanding to needed code, and using an IDE the majority uses. Even being a new book, the programming is outdated, and lacking in good practice. It surprises me that an actual "Course Study" publisher would allow a book like this to go through without any sort of editing, but I've come to the conclusion that the "ptr" in the publisher's name, actually means "Public Test Release"; not "Professional Technical Resource".

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Java SE 6 Game programming, Third EditionMarch 17 2011

By
Dave H
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

Reading this book, I have come to notice that the author is very disorganized and like to stray off subject in this book. It offers sum notoriety onto how java works, but it fails to explain. if you have read a basic java book you will be fine, if not make it a point to order a reference book to look back to for help.

If you have read a java book or have one at your side well reading this, you will learn alot of intresting things that are overlooked in other books. I was looking for a book to show me what i needed to know to make a game, and i found it. This book will show you how to creat 2D Java Apllets and Java Aplications.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

Lucid and Actually FunSept. 15 2011

By
Sean W.
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

This book is about what is says. Straight up game programming. There is no fluff about it. Not like the other books which give you a bunch of theory, Jonathon is straight to the point. When you are finished reading this book, you will have written a clone of the 1980's Asteroid Game with sound and everything. While not required, a physics background does help for some of the explanations. I have read 4 of Jonathon's books and am reading his book on Python right now. Definitely an author to check out!!! You won't be sorry.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

RecommendedOct. 22 2014

By
Dave
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

I learned java as well as game programming from reading this book. I did have a background in other programming languages though.Once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Learned so much from this book. I write this review 2 years after I finished reading it and I can tell you I still use code and ideas from it today. I've written many other games since, all of them have evolved from the game engine built in the later chapters. Its a great starting point which can be built on, improved and reused to make many different 2d applet games.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Good bookAug. 3 2013

By
Amazon Customer
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

As a "Beginning Java SE 6 Game Programming", I don't see anything wrong with the book. Need to say that I like the book up to chapter 14. Adding Game class, one more layer of abstraction, is too complicated. However, I confess that I am not OOP purist or enthusiast. Codes can be downloaded from publisher's site.